On December 7, 1972, the Apollo 17 mission was launched, and on December 11, American astronauts arrived on the surface of the moon for the last time. Few would have believed then that people would not get there for more than half a century. December 11, 2022 is the day when the Orion capsule from the Artemis 1 mission will return to Earth.

Humans will not reach the moon again until 2026.

Between 1969 and 1972, 12 astronauts set foot on the surface of the Moon.

The Apollo 17 mission broke several records. In total, it lasted 12 days, from December 7 to 19, extra-ship activity exceeded 22 hours, 115 kg of lunar rocks and regolith were brought. The crew spent 8 days in lunar orbit.

The Apollo 17 mission had three extravehicular activities, each of which lasted more than seven hours.

Who are the 12 Americans who walked on the surface of the moon?

1969 – Apollo 11

Neil Armstrong

Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin

1969 – Apollo 12

Charles “Pete” Conrad

Alan Bean

1971 – Apollo 14

Alan B. Shepard Jr

Edgar D. Mitchell

1971 – Apollo 15

David R. Scott

James B. Irwin

1972 – Apollo 16

John W. Young

Charles M. Duke

1972 – Apollo 17

Evgeny Cernan

Harrison H. Schmitt